Wagner College's men's basketball team heads into its Northeast Conference schedule for real Saturday night, with St. Francis of Brooklyn coming over to start the Seahawks' stretch of six games in 15 days.

The span includes two home games, trips to long-time thorns Fairleigh Dickinson and Central Connecticut, and the always dreadful western Pennsylvania journey to St. Francis and Robert Morris.

In all, Wagner plays five of its first seven January games on the road.

Does the tough span worry coach Mike Deane?

"Not really," he said following a New Year's Day practice at Spiro Center. "I think the schedule is pretty fair for everyone. And I'm kind of happy about getting the Pennsylvania trip out of the way early."

Deane's main concern is the immediate future. Namely, Saturday's match-up with the young and banged-up Terriers.

St. Francis has been playing without the services of high-scoring forward Kayode Ayeni (13 ppg), who hyperextended his knee a few games back.

And while veteran point man Jamaal Womack is expected to start, he's been hampered with a gimpy ankle.

"They're still dangerous," Deane said of Brian Nash's offensively aggressive club, which takes an average of 25 3-pointers per game. "They play fast, shoot quick, and when they make shots they can get you in a hole in a hurry."

Such was the case early last month, when St. Francis made 17 of 25 3-pointers in an emphatic 87-79 road win at NEC power Robert Morris.

In that victory, 6-foot-6 Serbian freshman Stefan Perunicic went 7 for 11 from three and scored 28 points.

Perunicic is shooting a very solid 42 percent from 3-point range, attempting an average of 8.0 per game.

"You have to keep their shooters in front of you, and contain them on drives to the basket," said Deane. "We want to try and make them play defense against us. At least, that's the goal."

Wagner's biggest edge may be in experience.

The Seahawks start three fifth-year seniors in Jamal Smith, Joey Mundweiler and Justin Drummond, a four-year senior in Llew Radford, and junior Michael Orock. The first player off the bench is Doug Elwell, a fourth-year junior.

"They have a lot of poise," said Nash of the Wagner veteran edge. "It comes with having so many guys who've been in the program as long they have. They know how to play, know where the ball should go at certain times."

For instance?

"Mike's team gets Mundweiler his touches where he needs them. And when they need a big basket it seems like they always manage to get Smith the ball."